Sushi Burritos and Chicken Kurma

Before I get too sentimental or start bearing my testimony, I just want to sum up all that I have learned in this class during this semester in just one word: details. What I have appreciated in this class and another class I took this semester was the emphasis that was placed on paying attention to the details in both works we studied and the pieces we created.

I have never been one for the details, especially when it came to reading. I love reading…. when it is something I want to read, which is actually really sad. Some of my favorite books are only my favorites because they were assignments at some point, but I digress. The focus on details this semester really opened my eyes to all the possibilities that can exist within the art of literature.

For example, “Araby” was a piece that I had to read for another class, along with other stories written by James Joyce. In just reading the piece itself, I wasn’t too impressed. With all the build-up in the story, I expected something significant to happen. Instead, it was a huge letdown. I was really frustrated with this story until we read an article where someone proved that when James Joyce was young, a very similar bazaar happened near where he lived. The author concludes that with minute changes here and there, “Araby” could have well been an autobiographical event. This made me change how I saw not only the story, but the author as well. The details behind the creation of the story made me appreciate it a bit more and instead of feeling let down by his story, I felt empathy for the boy in the story, and the author himself. There have been many experiences like this during this semester and I has changed how I read and write.

I am also very appreciative of the tools we were taught in this class and how they help us with the details. Blogging is still new to me, and I can’t wait to use it more in my own future pieces. I am very grateful for the focus that was put into the process of writing and how to use details to move your work forward. I am also impressed by how Professor Burton taught us in word and in deed. His attention to detail was front and center and sometimes all I can remember are the little details he shared with us (chicken kurma and sushi burritos anyone?)

I am grateful for the feedback (brutally honest sometimes) because that is the only way that I can improve. At the beginning of the semester, I thought I was a decent writer. This semester has humbled me immensely and has shown me that I have a long way to go and that I can’t keep gliding over the surface; I have to dive deep. I am grateful for this school and the teachers they provide to help us reach our potential.